Frequently Asked Questions

The answers to frequently asked questions about the employee, spouse, and dependent tuition assistance programs are kept updated on this page. If an applicant has a question that has not been addressed on this page, they can send their query by email to TuitionAssistance@wichita.edu.

Applying for Assistance

Application Deadlines

Award Notifications

General Assistance Questions

Program Eligibility


Applying for Assistance

Where do I send my completed application?

Fully completed applications must be submitted via . Applicants are strongly encouraged to send only their own or their spouse/dependent's application from their own email address. This will ensure that the applicant will have electronic record of submission.

Will I receive confirmation of receipt when I submit my application?

Yes. When an the online application is received, an automated response will be generated. For this reason, applicants are asked to send only their own or their spouse/dependent's application from their own email address. This will ensure that the applicant will have electronic record of submission.

Note: This response is acknowledgement of receipt, and not a confirmation of acceptance/approval. If any corrections and/or clarifications are needed, a member of the team will reach out to the applicant.

Can I submit an application for more than one semester?

Applications for tuition assistance can be submitted for the full academic year - Fall, Spring, and Summer - in one application.

I know my spouse or dependent will be in school for the fall and spring semesters. Can I complete an application for the entire year?

Applications can be submitted for the full academic year - Fall, Spring, and Summer - in one application

If applying for only a single semester, you may submit applications for each semester separately prior to the deadline for the applicable semester. 

Why is the application process changing from previous semesters?

The tuition assistance program has been growing rapidly each semester. As we progress, we learn more over time and are able to refine processes. With the tuition assistance policy updates effective Spring 2025, the application process has been updated by the Total Rewards team effective with applications for the 2025 Spring semester. 

These changes are designed to aid applicants, by better defining the expectations of the program and making the applicaiton process easier. As questions and circumstances have arisen in previous semesters, we continue to update both the application process and guidelines to clarify or aid applicants in understanding the program and program policies.  

Application Deadlines

The deadline has passed, but I still want to apply for the upcoming term. Can an exception be made for me?
The semester deadlines for tuition assistance are driven by financial aid deadlines, and processing timelines, therefore late applications will be automatically denied. There will be no exception to this policy.
I am a new employee who was hired near or after the deadline for the upcoming semester. Is the deadline waived for new employees?

No, the semester application deadlines still apply. While there is no wait period for employees to request tuition assistance, applicants must be employed in an eligible position at the time of application. Additionally, to ensure proper distribution of award funds if approved, applicants should be accepted to and enrolled in an eligible program prior to application.

Award Notifications

When will I be notified of the status of my application?

Notifications of award status for a given term are typically sent within one month of the application deadline for the term.

These notifications are sent to the email address of the student requesting assistance, not the employee. If an applicant is a dependent or spouse requesting assistance, they should check the email address on file in their student record for their award notification.

If the notification has not been received and the deadline was greater than one month ago, please contact TuitionAssistance@wichita.edu.

Who can I contact for a status update on my application?

At the time of application, the employee (and the spouse or dependent, as applicable) will receive an email confirmation to the email addresses submitted on the application. The confirmation will advise whether a completed application was successful, and the student will be advised of their preliminary approval status.

Formal notification of award status for a given term is made by email to the student for whom the award has been requested. This is typically sent within one month after the application deadline for the term. If it is not currently one month past the deadline, please understand that applications are being processed. If the notification has not been received and the deadline was greater than one month ago, please contact TuitionAssistance@wichita.edu.

Who do I contact if I believe that I submitted my application, but I have not received a notification, or the award is not reflected on my tuition bill?

All confirmations of application receipt and preliminary approval status are sent to the email address(es) provided on the application. Before submitting, ensure that all email addresses are spelled correctly.

Notification of award status is sent to the student's email address on file as a student. For employees requesting tuition assistance for their own coursework, this may or may not be their @wichita.edu email address. If an applicant is a dependent or spouse requesting assistance, they should check the email address on file in their student record for their award notification. If the notification has not been received to the student's email address associated with their student file, and the deadline was greater than one month ago, please contact TuitionAssistance@wichita.edu.

I requested tuition assistance for my dependent or spouse. How can I check the status of their award?

The HR Total Rewards team is not able to release information related to student records, including tuition assistance awards granted as part of the employee benefit program. The student for whom the award has been requested should contact TuitionAssistance@wichita.edu directly.

Can I receive tuition assistance for courses I am taking at 蹤獲扦 Tech or through the Center for Management Development?

At this time, courses at 蹤獲扦 Tech or through the CMD programs are not eligible for tuition assistance, as the tuition is neither charged by nor paid to 蹤獲扦 University.

Can I receive tuition assistance for continuing education courses taken through 蹤獲扦?

The benefit of continuing education and professional development for employees is recognized, and the goal of the tuition assistance program is to assist employees and their spouse/dependent(s) in the pursuit of an accredited degree, certificate, or badge from 蹤獲扦. For this reason, all education courses that are for credit are eligible for tuition assistance. Dependent and Spouse tuition assistance does require that the student be admitted into a degree seeking program. 

Does tuition assistance cover fees for online or lab courses?

Tuition assistance does not cover fees. Student support fees for employees are waived per the Comprehensive Fee Schedule which is unrelated to the tuition assistance benefit. Other course fees, including but not limited to online, lab, and materials fees, are the responsibility of the student.

Can I use tuition assistance for graduate and undergraduate courses in the same semester?

No. Each application is for either graduate or undergraduate assistance, based on the student's enrolled program.

Can I use tuition assistance to cover non-resident tuition?
Tuition assistance is limited to the cost of resident tuition. Additional costs related to non-resident tuition rates are waived for employees, as well as their spouse and dependent(s), per the Comprehensive Fee Schedule. This is unrelated to the tuition assistance benefit.
I've been awarded assistance, and now need to drop a course(s), what do I do?

If a course(s) is withdrawn, it must be done before the Full-Refund Deadline for tuition assistance funds to be applied appropriately. Withdrawing from courses paid for with tuition assistance received under this policy may affect eligibility for future semesters unless the recipient has demonstrated that extenuating circumstances caused the late withdrawal. A recipient seeking to preserve their eligibility under this policy may petition the Tuition Refund Board of Appeals by submitting a Petition for Exception to Tuition Refund Policy for Dropping Courses to the Financial Operations and Business Technology Office by mail to Box 38, Wichita, KS 67260; by email to wsuaccountsreceivable@wichita.edu, by facsimile to 316-978-3107; or by delivery to Jardine Hall, Room 201. 

If the appeal is not granted, the employee must take and pass an equivalent course (GR/UG of the same or greater number of credit hours) at their own expense to regain eligibility.

For dependents and spouses, if a course(s) is withdrawn after the Full-Refund Deadline, the funds disbursed will be applied to the credit-hour maximum even though the course(s) have not been completed.

Program Eligibility

I have more than one dependent enrolled at 蹤獲扦, or myself and a dependent are both enrolled. Am I able to request assistance for more than one person?

Yes. Each student's eligibility and lifetime maximums, if applicable, will stand alone when determining their eligibility for tuition assistance. A single employee can use the tuition assistance benefit for themselves, their spouse, and any dependent(s) concurrently, so long as the employee meets eligibility requirements to request tuition assistance, and each student maintains their individual eligibility.

My dependent will be turning 26 years old or getting married during the semester. Are they eligible for assistance?

Yes. Dependents are eligible for assistance during a given semester as long as they meet the eligibility requirements on the first day of the semester for which assistance is being requested.

I have accepted a benefits-eligible position and want to take classes. How soon can I apply for assistance?

There is no wait period for participation in the tuition assistance program. However, only those employed in an eligible position at the time of application may be awarded tuition assistance funds. No exceptions will be made to the application deadline for employees hired after the application deadline for a given academic term.

I have to drop a course after my assistance has been approved. Will I still be eligible for tuition assistance in the future?

If a course(s) is withdrawn, it must be done before the Full-Refund Deadline for tuition assistance funds to be applied appropriately. Withdrawing from courses paid for with tuition assistance received under this policy may affect eligibility for future semesters unless the recipient has demonstrated that extenuating circumstances caused the late withdrawal.  A recipient seeking to preserve their eligibility under this policy may petition the Tuition Refund Board of Appeals by submitting a Petition for Exception to Tuition Refund Policy for Dropping Courses to the Financial Operations and Business Technology Office by mail to Box 38, Wichita, KS 67260; by email to wsuaccountsreceivable@wichita.edu, by facsimile to 316-978-3107; or by delivery to Jardine Hall, Room 201.

If the appeal is not granted, the employee must take and pass an equivalent course (GR/UG of the same or greater number of credit hours) at their own expense to regain eligibility.

For dependents and spouses, if a course(s) is withdrawn after the Full-Refund Deadline, the funds disbursed will be applied to the credit-hour maximum even though the course(s) have not been completed.

I've heard about tax consequences for tuition assistance. What is this about?

Employees are responsible for all tax consequences.  Tuition assistance for graduate courses for an Employees spouse and dependents may be included in the Employees gross income as wages and subject to income tax consistent with federal and state tax laws.


Who to Contact

HR Total Rewards Team
totalrewards@wichita.edu
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SME: SDM/CT
Revised: 11/18/2024 CT